If I only swim but don't do any other exercises, what will I be missing? Not much, I suppose? I can still have a good physique and it sure does more to my health than if running is my only exercise? Comments?
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Former Member
Hey DDL,
I think this all depends on your goals and how patient you are. You can certainly lose weight and develop an improved physique swimming alone. For me at least, these things are greatly accelerated by a wieght lifting program I've done for years. (I took my body fat % from 16 to 12 in 6 weeks with a combination of 2-3 days of lifting and 3-4 days of swimming per week. I only lost 2lbs, so I built quite a bit of muscle.). A prudent lifting routine can help prevent injury by providing balance to the areas that might overdevelop through swimming alone. I also feel much stronger in the water when I lift.
I strongly believe in shock value when you train, whatever your goals may be. This is easier to achieve if your workouts take place in two arenas (pool/gym or pool/bike) because you can lift heavy and swim aerobically on the same day even.
Just my two-cents worth.
Mike
Hey DDL,
I think this all depends on your goals and how patient you are. You can certainly lose weight and develop an improved physique swimming alone. For me at least, these things are greatly accelerated by a wieght lifting program I've done for years. (I took my body fat % from 16 to 12 in 6 weeks with a combination of 2-3 days of lifting and 3-4 days of swimming per week. I only lost 2lbs, so I built quite a bit of muscle.). A prudent lifting routine can help prevent injury by providing balance to the areas that might overdevelop through swimming alone. I also feel much stronger in the water when I lift.
I strongly believe in shock value when you train, whatever your goals may be. This is easier to achieve if your workouts take place in two arenas (pool/gym or pool/bike) because you can lift heavy and swim aerobically on the same day even.
Just my two-cents worth.
Mike
